Protest planned Thursday about Oswego pool closure

Oswego, NY -- Residents who are upset about the impending closure city officials have proposed closing Oswego's only public pool next year will take their protest to the Common Council Thursday.

The council is holding a town hall meeting on the proposed 2010 city budget at 6 p.m. in the McCrobie Building.

Christina Chamberlain, whose two children took swimming lessons at Gallagher Pool and swim there nearly every day, said residents are incensed the council wants to close such a vital part of the city in order to cut the proposed budget.

"They didn't inform the public and they didn't look for other alternatives," Chamberlain said. "They are using the children who don't have a vote and can't vote these guys out in the election."

The pool, open since the 1960s, is located next to Fort Ontario. The closure closing is part of the proposed 2010 city budget, so it would remain open until about Labor Day, but would be closed next year.

The pool is open from the end of June until around Labor Day each year.

Seventh Ward Alderman Michael Joyce said the city cannot afford to continue losing money on the pool. This year, the city spent $109,355 to operate the pool and has brought in about $6,400 from fees, he said.

Most of the pool budget goes for personnel costs -- to pay lifeguards, a recreational maintenance person and lifeguard supervisor, he said. In 2008, 3,321 people visited the pool.

"We need to start looking at recreation," he said. "The pool is open only two months a year. We are losing some money on the skating rinks too, but they are open for six months and are used by the figure skating and hockey clubs."

"The money they'll save is just a drop in the hat. They are nickel and diming a group that doesn't have anything," Chamberlain said.

Joyce said $100,000 may seem trivial in the total $5 million the council has cut from the proposed Oswego city budget so far. "But everything is a drop in the bucket until you start adding them up," he said.

The pool would be closed if the measure stays in the proposed budget. The council could vote on the budget by Monday or early September.

Joyce said the city has approached the Oswego YMCA to see if the Y would rent the pool for $1 and operate it next year. He also said children who take swim lessons at Gallagher Pool can take lessons at the YMCA.

YMCA Executive Director Deana Masuicca said the Y board has not made a decision on the matter. The board's next meeting is in September.